Recipe - Classic French Fries With Chili Salt

One half cup Catsup
1 teaspoon Ground cumin
1 teaspoon Balsamic vinegar or red
White vinegar
2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoon Chili powder
3 lg Russet potatoes, peeled,
Wiped dry, cut into
Generous 1/4inchthick
Sticks
Canola oil (For deep frying)

Combine catsup, cumin and vinegar in small bowl. Combine salt and chili
powder in another small bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover
spearately and let stand at room temperature.)

Arrange potatoes in parallel rows on kitchen towel. Roll towel up,
enclosing potatoes, and let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour to
dry potatoes.

Pour oil into heavy large saucepan to depth of 3 inches. Attach deepfry
thermomether and heat oil over mediumhigh heat to 320degrees F. add 1/4
of potatoes to oil and fry until just tender and barely colored, about 3
minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to wire rack set over
paper towels and allow to drain. Preheat oil to 320degrees F. if
necessary. Repeat frying with remaining potatoes in 3 more batches. Cool
completely. (Can be prepared up to 3 hours ahead.. Let potatoes stand at
room temperature, let oil cool.)

Reheat oil to 400degrees F. Fry potaotes in 3 batches until deep golden
brown and beginning to blisher, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon,
transfer potatoes to basket lined with several layers of paper towels.
Sprinkle with chili salt and serve with cumin catsup.

SOURCE: BON APPETIT, January 1993

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini